2017 Volkswagen Golf R Problems
- Complaints
- 15filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 20,500miles, 8 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall
- EPA fuel economy
- 25 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl AWD · 23 city / 30 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2017 Volkswagen Golf R (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2017 Volkswagen Golf R. The part named most often is engine, with 6 complaints (40% of the total), followed by fuel system (3) and electrical system (2). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 20,500 miles. Of all complaints, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 459 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 63 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Fuel system complaints overlap with 16 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine6 40%
- Fuel system3 20%
- Electrical system2 13%
- Other or unknown2 13%
- Brakes1 6.7%
- Engine cooling1 6.7%
- Vehicle speed control1 6.7%
- Wheels1 6.7%
Example complaints
Engine: “Was driving down the freeway when the car lost coolant. Discovered road debris had punctured the secondary heat exchanger located on the lower front passenger side. The front facia provides absolutely no protection from debris and other damage was noted on the exchanger surface. Had to pull over as the engine overheated and get the car taken to the dealer for repairs. This seems to be a design flaw - searching the internet there are several incidences of punctured heat exchangers.”
NHTSA complaint #11054393, filed 2017-12, 10,300 milesFuel system: “Your system is mislabeling cars. Search for 2017 Golf R. It shows 58 complaints. If you look at the cars tied to these complaints it's vw alltracks. I want people to see the issues I'm having with my cars but I need you to fix the website. Please help. I find it strange that this is happening to vw after all the issues they have had.”
NHTSA complaint #11287489, filed 2019-12Electrical system: “I have a 2017 Golf R equipped with dsg transmission, automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. Occasionally the car would make a continuous and periodic clicking noise that can last for a few minutes when in motion and when brake is not applied. As soon as I step on the brake, the clicking stops. When brake pedal is released, the clicking comes back. The problem started in may/june 2018 when the car had approximately 14000 miles, and has been doing that every once in a while since then. …”
NHTSA complaint #11271084, filed 2019-10, 14,000 milesOther or unknown: “Razor-like material/defect on front of shift boot trim near the ingress to the front cubby area has cut me multiple times; drawing blood each time, when taking my phone in and out of the cubby. This cubby is designed to hold a phone, as there is a usb port and connects the driver's phone to the apple carplay unit. The material that has come off the trim that forms a thin razor , seems to have delaminated from the trim. Vw seems to be aware of the issue. Skin that was removed by the trim can be seen in the following attached shots.”
NHTSA complaint #11308797, filed 2020-02, 25,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
100% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 14,000 and 35,300 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2017 Volkswagen Golf R. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golf R · sedan AWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 13.4% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2017 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.
Neighbouring years: 2016: same overall rating; 2018: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2017 Volkswagen Golf R version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golf R AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 23 | 30 | 25 | $3,300 |
| Golf R AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 22 | 31 | 25 | $3,300 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2017 Volkswagen Golf R in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 459 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11038146Sep 17, 2026Engine. Suggested fuel additive
- 11038143Sep 9, 2026Other or unknown. This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
- 11036868Aug 6, 2026Other or unknown. Permission to change Daily Order upgraded to RED Order
- 11036870Aug 4, 2026Other or unknown. Differences between a leak and seepage
- 11035772Jul 15, 2026Electrical system. This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the issue: DA 0019…
- 11035762Jul 9, 2026Engine. Oil Consumption Measurement and Electronic Oil Consumption Measurement
- 11034614Jun 18, 2026Engine. Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
- 11034613Jun 18, 2026Engine. Lubricating engine components before reassembly.
- 11034621Jun 11, 2026Air bags. Inquiries
- 11034617Jun 4, 2026Engine. Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards
Other model years of the Volkswagen Golf R
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 900 | 0 | — | 25 | — | Too new |
| 2024 | 12 | — | 1 | — | 25 | — | Too new |
| 2023 | 6 | 20 | 3 | — | 26 | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 10 | — | 5 | — | 26 | — | Not enough data |
| 2019 | 6 | 8,950 | 2 | 5 | 26 | — | Not enough data |
| 2018 | 9 | 8,500 | 4 | 5 | 25 | — | Not enough data |
| 2017 | 15 | 20,500 | 0 | 5 | 25 | — | Falling |
| 2016 | 12 | 18,000 | 4 | 5 | 25 | — | Not enough data |
All Volkswagen Golf R model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2017 Volkswagen Golf R have?
NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2017 Volkswagen Golf R as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2017 Volkswagen Golf R is reported most often?
Engine is named most often, in 6 complaints (40% of the total), followed by fuel system with 3.
Has the 2017 Volkswagen Golf R been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2017 Volkswagen Golf R do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2017 Volkswagen Golf R 5 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2017 Volkswagen Golf R get?
The EPA rates the 2017 Volkswagen Golf R (Golf R, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 25 mpg combined, 23 city and 30 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2017 Volkswagen Golf R reported?
Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 20,500 miles and the middle half falls between 14,000 and 35,300 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.